Alpine is reportedly on the brink of another shake-up, with Bruno Famin's tenure as Team Principal expected to soon draw to a close.
Just over a year after replacing Otmar Szafnauer at the helm of the Enstone squad, the Frenchman is set to be replaced by Hitech founder Oliver Oakes.
Famin's appointment in 2023 came as a surprise, with the engineer assuming the role in addition to his already extensive responsibilities as Vice-President of Alpine Motorsport and head of Renault’s Viry-Châtillon engine division.
Despite initial hopes of a turnaround, the Enstone-based outfit has struggled to find its feet this season, currently languishing in eighth position in the Constructors' Championship.
Despite a technical restructure and some improvements in form overseen by Famin, Alpine remains in a worse position compared to last year.
They currently sit eighth in the Constructors' standings with just nine points, a steep decline from the 47 points they had accrued by the same point last season under Szafnauer's leadership.
The team’s dismal underperformance recently incited Renault Group CEO Luca de Meo to draft in Flavio Briatore as an executive advisor, handing the Italian carte blanche to undertake the changes he sees fit to transform the Enstone squad.
In addition to Alpine’s anticipated switch to Mercedes power units, which could come as early as 2025, the French outfit is now poised for a big leadership change.
George Russell in 2016 with Hitech team owner Oliver Oakes.
According to multiple reports, Oliver Oakes who oversees Hitech’s very successful F3 and F2 teams will take the reins of Alpine over F1’s summer break.
The Briton, a former racer in his own right with a successful track record in junior formulas through his Hitech team, would bring a fresh perspective and a wealth of experience in developing young talent.
His team's base at Silverstone also aligns geographically with Alpine's UK operations, potentially facilitating a smoother transition.
If confirmed, this leadership change will be the latest chapter in Alpine's tumultuous recent history.
The team has undergone significant restructuring, with the departure of key personnel and the implementation of a new strategic direction.
The appointment of Oakes could signal a new era for Alpine, one characterized by youth, ambition, and a relentless pursuit of performance.
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